Klarinet Archive - Posting 000312.txt from 1997/11

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: barrels
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 1997 22:43:10 -0500

on 11/6/97 11:12 AM, Lou Polcari wrote:

>>> I need a 64mm barrel now, and have some questions, one will it effect the
>>> tuning of the throat tones? Do you think I will need a short barrel for
>my
>>> Bb and an other for the A, or will the same barrel be Ok for both? What
>>> makers would you suggest... An old teacher suggested Muncy music's 64mm
>>> barrel.

and Neil Leupold replied:
>>
>>The definitive answers to your questions depend on pieces of information
>>which only you possess. Basically, though, it's safe to say that you
>>*can* find a barrel which will raise your pitch and allow the throat
>>tones to remain in tune. Barrel acoustics and dimensions are as varied
>>as mouthpiece configurations, which means that you're bound to find
>>one with just the right taper and design which will manipulate your
>>sound the way you need it, given some time spent on trials and testing.
>>You might also consider a custom job, where somebody like Clark Fobes
>>might be willing to design a barrel specifically suited to your
>>instrument's idiosycracies.

My section colleague got barrels from Guy Chadash which were very good.
I've spoken to him on the phone, and he seems very knowledgeable about
various vintages of Buffet clarinets and what sort of barrel will help a
particular clarinet. I can find you the address if you need it, or
perhaps someone on the list has it at hand and will post it.

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/